Your father struck a deal with the Destroyer. No one strikes a deal with the Destroyer and expects to live, Jonathan had once said.
I curled to my side, taking a calming breath, and forced my thoughts to be silent.
A noise rattled me awake. My eyes flashed open, my back toward the sound. A shiver drew up my spine as the door to my bedroom clicked closed. I flung the covers away, rolling to the other side, but there was no one there. At least, no one that I could see. My gaze darted around the large space of my unlit room. Empty as it appeared, I couldn’t get over the gut-twisting sensation that something wasn’t right. As I scanned the room again, a figure, more solid than shadow, emerged. Pressed against the side of the tall bookshelf, a personage clad in black advanced from the darkness.
White hair flowed past the hips of her cascading black dress. The woman paused and my lungs squeezed shut. Her gnarled feet were bare and as she turned to stare at me, a smile cracked her lips. Wheezing, she shuffled across the distance between us. My heart stuttered to a stop, then picked up speed. I forced my body to move, not freeze from fear, and bounded from bed. Despite her wizened age, a warning told me not to underestimate my midnight guest.
“Do you think you dream, little Ava?” Her voice rattled, the sound of fluid in her lungs.
“Do I?” Unsure if I could trust to know the difference anymore. From the way she peered at me I wondered if she could sense my insides turning into liquid. “Who are you?”
Her gaze left mine and traveled the vines that climbed the walls of the room. She pressed a boney finger to a purpled bloom. “A violet for Violet,” she muttered.
“Where is Jonathan?” I asked.
Her black eyes rolled in my direction, a smile stretched across her face. “Is that your demon, girl?” She tsked, shaking that skeletal finger. “So young and already full of so many demons. The door opens and only one is allowed. I couldn’t resist. I had to see you.” She cocked her head at an angle, reading my every movement. “I used to play such games with your mother, too.”
“My mother?”
“Childish, silly little games, but she didn’t mind. It was he who minded. Never let us have any fun. Pity you don’t look much like her. Too much of your father in you.”
“Who are you?”
She hissed, brandishing a rusted knife. “I am tired of your questions. You sound like him too, the worthless immortal.” I crouched down, readying for an attack, cursing myself for leaving my weapon inside the nightstand. “He worried over things that were stupid and insignificant. He couldn’t see past his own demons to understand anyone else’s. Your father failed my Rachel in every way.”
Anger flared, and I dove to retrieve my knife, but she lunged before I could even get close. My pendant pressed against my skin, a belated warning. Jumping over my bed she flew, her dress like the wings of a crow. I blocked her attack, hitting the blade from her hand, and throwing her to the side. But the old woman was amazingly quick to recover. She sprang again, knocking me to the ground. She twisted the collar of my shirt in her hands, her face only inches from mine. I grabbed her by the throat, her body so frail to the touch that I relaxed my grip a fraction.
“Curse these brittle bones,” she rattled.
Heat bloomed beneath my grasp and even though I knew the burning wasn’t real, it seared like a hot iron. I fought the desire to let go. The old woman didn’t seem to notice the pain or care. Her gaze followed the length of my chain to my mother’s black stone fallen away and to the side on the carpet. The silver pulled at my neck.
“The Demon’s Eye,” she said, her voice a loving purr. Lowering her ear to the pendant, she sighed, eyes rolling into her skull. “I can still hear them.”
“Stop,” I commanded, drawing her attention away from the ornament.
She growled a curse, exposing her yellowed teeth. “I’ll give you the honor of killing you in my prime, Defender.” She breathed heavily, as if about to collapse and snaked closer until our noses touched. Additional pain exploded from the contact. “The door is open.”
I panted, grimacing through the burn.
“What do you mean?”
“Too many questions,” she condemned. “The door is open and my debt is repaid.”
I released her neck, shoving against her, kicking my legs off the ground, but she didn’t budge, and only tightened her grip.
Her mouth puckered, pale lips blowing hot air into my face, releasing a breath so putrid that my lungs seized against the toxin. Black eyes watched as I slipped back into my dreams, this time welcoming the misty nothingness.
When I awoke, a soft morning glow crept into my window, chasing away the deep shadows of my room. My gaze traced the painted vines and flowers on the wall, the colors muted in the growing light. I lay twisted in my sheets, the white comforter banished unceremoniously to the ground. Sweat coated my nightclothes, sticking to my skin.
Kicking the bed linens off, I fumbled to the sink and splashed cold water on my face. Braced against the granite counter, I stared at my pallid complexion and my hair pulled from my braid and matted against my head.
Do you think you dream, little Ava?
It was easier to believe I had dreamt the entire thing. Better to accept it was fantasy rather than acknowledge the possibility that I had screwed up again and had let yet another demon into the compound. But had I?
I stripped off my pajamas, tossing them into a corner. Laith and Elisa had said that to enter the compound, one had to be invited in. I hadn’t invited anyone—at least I didn’t think so. Jonathan had never once entered Cheryl’s house when I lived with her, and yet I had allowed him into my dreams multiple times over the past few months. And knowing Jonathan, had he been given the chance, he would have taken it.
As I dressed, I thought of asking my two best friends to clarify the rules, but doing so would bring on questions and possibly an admission of guilt. I wasn’t willing to do that, not yet. Not when I wasn’t sure it had even been real and I still didn’t have the answers I needed.
It was a dream. Nothing more.
“Good morning, Elisa. Good morning, Laith,” I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, skipping down the paved steps of the courtyard. My legs stung from the previous day’s trek, but I ignored the discomfort, pasting a smile on my face.
“I’m so glad to see you in a good mood this morning.” Laith’s voice held a tinge of skepticism.
“It’s amazing what a solid night’s rest can do, right?” I said, laying on the act even thicker.
“Oh, wonderful,” Elisa said, warming to my cheery expression, fake as it was. “I was worried you might have had trouble sleeping. I know we’ve been throwing a lot at you—”
“Elisa, I’m fine,” I interrupted with a dismissive wave. “The room is perfect and I slept great. Thank—”
“Has anyone told you how full of it you are?”
“Argh.” My voice faltered and then extended into a growl. Darius strolled through the courtyard, hands pushed deep into his pockets.
“Don’t start, you two,” Laith interjected. The inflection of his voice warned. “Ava, we have good news. The Healers should be arriving tonight, or as late as tomorrow morning, so the council will happen within the next twenty-four hours. In the meantime, we have more training for you.”
“With Mr. Happy here?” I asked, thumbing a gesture towards a scowling Darius.
“No,” Laith and Darius both said at the same time. Elisa covered a laugh with her hand.
“Our fun starts tomorrow,” Darius commented.
Pleadingly, I looked to my friends. “Do I get a say in the matter?”
Darius rolled his eyes. “All compound residents, young and old, are required to exercise. Since you are new, I thought we’d start with a simple run, but if you’re worried you can’t keep up or complete the distance, you’re more than welcome to walk with the pregnant cook.” He smirked, one brow raised. “Madelyn walks early in the morning before breakfast.”
Heat rose to my face. Even though I knew he was luring me, I took the bait willingly.
“A run sounds delightful,” I said in a sickly-sweet voice.
Darius smiled, exposing a feral grin. “Great. First thing tomorrow morning.” He took a step to leave, but paused. His attention roamed over my wardrobe, from my black t-shirt and camouflage pants to my steel-toed combat boots. “You should probably wear more appropriate apparel. And some running shoes.” And then he winked at me.
I inhaled a shocked breath. My hands clenched into fists as he sauntered away. “Thank you, Captain Obvious,” I called after him. When he didn’t respond, I searched for something to throw at the back of his head.
Laith laughed, grabbing my hand as I reached for a rock in one of the nearby planters. “Come on, Ava. It’s time for breakfast.” He gave me a push in the direction of the entry doors.
“But I’m not hungry.”
Elisa threaded an arm through mine. “Ava, I understand this will be difficult for you. Your father did his best to keep you hidden all your life, but you must move on from that. As Defender, you cannot avoid your people.”
“My people?”
“The others in the compound.”
“And the rest of humanity,” Laith mumbled under his breath.
“But we’ll start with the compound for today,” Elisa said, silencing Laith with a look. “Ava, everyone within the sanctuary is here for a reason. Almost all are mortals that were targeted because of a powerful ability they have.”
“An ability?”
“They have incredible strength, intelligence, or influence. Some are healers, some see auras; in the past we’ve had people that could speak to the dead—”
“Are you kidding?” I asked, cutting her off.
She smiled widely. “No, I’m not, and that’s just to name a few. They are eager to get to know you. You must embrace them.”
I rubbed at the sides of my arms nervously. Elisa was right, of course. My father had taught me the art of seclusion and distrust in humanity, the very opposite of what I assumed I was meant for. But did his fears have to be my own? Resigned, I followed my friends. My heart beat harder with every step I took, my boots suddenly too heavy for my feet. What could I say to these strangers? And what if they didn’t like me? What if they couldn’t accept me?
Even before reaching the kitchen, the aroma of pan-fried eggs and potatoes caught my attention but did little to brighten my dampened spirits.
As I entered the room, the blood drained from my face and my mouth burned dry. Over a dozen people lounged in the dining room, sipping their coffee and orange juice and eating their loaded plates of food. Fear rose, taking all coherent words away as one by one, people looked up from their breakfast and broke from their conversations. Seconds ticked by, seconds that lasted an eternity. Mouths parted, but silence spread like an infectious disease—and I would be its first fatal victim.
Oh my gosh, say something! But nothing came as I stared blankly at the sea of faces.
“What are you all gawking at?” Doctor Maynes entered from the kitchen, carrying a cup of coffee and a glazed donut, a newspaper tucked under one arm. He paused at the threshold, his brows pinched together. “It’s like you’ve never seen an immortal before,” he mumbled, sitting at the head of the nearest long table. Grabbing for a napkin, he paused, mid-reach. “There are two more right behind her, you know.”
“Mmm. Madelyn made donuts this morning.” Laith groaned, reaching for the doctor’s treat.
“Get your own!” the doctor shouted, rapping over his knuckles with the newspaper. Laith chuckled and disappeared into the kitchen.
A man rose, bowing his head in a greeting. “Good morning, my lady Herald, my lady Defender.” My mouth opened to respond, but what came was a gargled mesh of words that made no sense at all. The man pretended not to notice. “We would be honored if you would join us at our table.”
“Thank you,” was all I could finally manage, but it was enough. Conversation resumed. Madelyn brought in two platefuls of fresh donuts and placed them in the center of the table in front of me.
“Good morning, my ladies,” she said, meeting my gaze. She inclined her head in a greeting. A gentle smile pulled at her lips and my heart warmed to her.
Heavy steps drew near and a murmured conversation broke as four more residents entered. Charlotte, her silver hair tucked into a black baseball cap, blew into the room, the giant Hector, Noah, and the one with spiky blond hair just behind. Hatred pulsed as I watched her sit in the far corner with her security friends. Her expression arrogant, Charlotte scanned her surroundings, taking in the occupants and freezing when her attention caught mine. A slow smile spread across her face.
“Ava, how nice,” she said, projecting her voice across the room with a sneer. “No longer hiding in your room, I see.” Next to her, the spike-haired guy sneered at me. Hector and Noah ignored me completely.
“Charlotte, that’s enough.” Elisa placed her cup down with a thud. Laith appeared on the threshold of the kitchen, his arms folded across his chest, but I silenced them both with a wave.
“It’s true, Elisa. I have been nervous to meet my new inmates, but that was because of my own fears. It was never my intent to appear unsociable.”
“And we understand why, my lady Defender,” Madelyn interrupted, casting an unfavorable glance toward Charlotte. “Heaven knows what you’ve been through, but please understand that you are most welcome here. Charlie’s opinion is but one, and does not reflect the attitude of every resident here.” She picked up a plate of donuts and brought it to a very red-faced Charlotte, setting it in front of her. “If I recall correctly, it was you that had difficulties with the majority when you came of age, but that was due to your bad manners and ill temper.”
Spike chuckled, covering his mouth with his fist.
“And what are you laughing at, Zane?” Madelyn’s voice became harsh as she inspected him.
Zane. He looked like a Zane. My gaze narrowed upon the heckler.
His face turned color. “Nothing, ma’am.”
Charlotte’s chair scraped against tile. As she pushed it back to stand, it knocked over to the floor. “I’ll take breakfast in my room today, Madelyn.”
“That’s fine,” Gerald said from next to Laith. “Just make sure to bring your dishes back. We’re not a maid service.”
Grabbing a donut from Madelyn, Charlotte left the room in a huff.
“Anyone else have a problem? What about you, Noah?” Madelyn asked.
He shook his head. “No, ma’am,” he said, his voice thick with a southern accent.
Hector, who hadn’t spoken a word, acted as if nothing unusual had happened. Placing a hand on Madelyn’s arm, he captured her attention. “Madi, darling, I smell your hash browns and eggs.”
“I’ll bring a plate to you right away.” She smiled at him before disappearing into the kitchen.
“Stop flirting with my wife, Hector.”
“I’d flirt with you if it meant you’d bring me my breakfast,” he said, picking up the knocked-over chair.
Gerald snorted a laugh. “Don’t mind Charlotte,” he said to me. “She’s full of piss and vinegar. But she has her uses.”
“I’m sure she does.” I huffed, thinking about her arms wrapped around Darius’s waist. I scraped my teeth against the fork in my mouth, catching a look from Elisa.
I was sure breakfast was good, although I didn’t remember anything about the food. The room was full of commotion and constant chatter. Laith and Elisa sat across from me, perfectly at ease with the flux of incoming and outgoing diners. I smiled until my cheeks grew sore, and I made general conversation with anyone that dared approach.
I learned that the man I sat next to was Payton—the compound gardener and agriculturist—who happily plied me with information on the indigenous horticulture, none of which I understood. After a while, Yvette scampered into the dining room carrying an armful of what I could only assume was stolen
doughnuts. She dumped them on the table and wiggled into a chair. White powder dusted her mouth and coated strands of her curly hair.
Payton laughed. “Defender, this is my daughter, Yvette.” He kissed the top of her head and attempted to comb through a few wild wisps. “Yvette, this is our new Defender.”
“We’ve met,” I said, laughing when she attempted a smile with a mouth full of food that crumbled to the floor.
She leaned on her father’s arm studying me with curious brown eyes.
By the time we left for my room, I was ready to go back into hiding, but I knew I couldn’t. It would only make Charlotte happy to know she was right.
“How many people live here?” I asked, passing another occupant who gaped at my greeting.
“It changes, but I believe we have around sixty. This is not the only housing structure we have, but almost everyone has to share a room,” Laith answered as I unlocked my door.
“Can I take a tour of the compound?”
“You will become familiar with everything soon enough, but today is not a good day for a tour. Elisa and I have to meet up with Charlotte and Hector for a report. We’re also in charge of another inspection of the perimeter. If you’d like to join us again, you may. We’ll take the truck.”
The thought of getting familiar with the grounds, even if it was just the perimeter again, was appealing, so I accepted their offer.
Entering the room, Elisa groaned upon seeing my bed linens tossed onto the floor. “You slept great, huh?”
I blushed, pulling the key from the door and closing it behind me. “I’m not used to my new mattress, that’s all.”
She gave me a pointed look. I exposed my teeth in an effort to smile until I saw something flash upon the floor. As I moved closer, light glinted off the rusted blade of a knife and I panicked. While attempting to straighten my sheets, I kicked the object from view, beneath the cover of the dust ruffles before Laith or Elisa could spot it. My breath spiked, and I walked to the window, staring blankly at the courtyard.
Personal Guardians: Book 2 in the Personal Demons Series Page 4
